Biology degree at Washburn University

Why study Biology at Washburn?

The biology generalist degree at Washburn gives you a strong foundation as a scientist, no matter your career of interest. Because all Washburn biology students graduate with research experience, you can be confident that your skill, knowledge and ability as a scientist, critical thinker, and communicator of complex information will grow in this program. Graduates have gone on to further their education in graduate school, combined their interest in science with another degree for a specialized field (law school, for example), and gone on to work as field biologists or in laboratories.

Career Forecast Growing OutlookAverage Salary $42,660on campus

What sets Biology at Washburn apart?

The Biology Department has a strong community. Whether you know exactly what you want to do or you want to explore the field of possibility, you’ll receive mentorship and peer connections that will guide and support you.
Biology Department Scholarships are available to incoming and returning majors.
Find your people on campus with one of four biology student clubs.
Graduate with research experience guided by a faculty mentor, which could lead to a conference presentation or publication.

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Admissions scholarships

Washburn University offers generous scholarships based on your interests, career aspirations, community service and academic success.

Biology department scholarships

The biology department offers a variety of scholarships based on academic performance and career pursuits. New and transfer students are eligible. Applications are due early in the spring.

Admissions scholarships
Admissions scholarships
Biology department scholarships
Biology department scholarships

Tuition and fees

Courses in this program are offered at the Traditional Undergraduate rate.

Financial aid

Washburn University offers generous undergraduate financial aid, including scholarships and grants.

Tuition waivers

If you don’t currently live in Kansas, learn about our Tuition Waiver programs that may qualify you for in-state tuition.

Tuition and fees
Tuition and fees
Financial aid
Financial aid
Tuition waivers
Tuition waivers

Degree options:

Bachelor of Science

To earn a B.S. degree in biology, a student must satisfy the following:

University and general education requirements
44 credit hours in biology
- 20 credit hours of biology core requirements, plus
- 24 credit hours of biology electives; 21 of which must be upper division
30-hour natural sciences minor (chemistry, physics, mathematics)
- 20 hours must be in courses from one department other than biology

Sample schedule (PDF)

Major map (PDF)

Bachelor of Arts

To earn a B.A. degree in biology, a student must satisfy the following:

University and general education requirements
38 credit hours in biology
- 20 credit hours of biology core requirements, plus
- 18 credit hours of biology electives
Foreign language competency requirement (see courses required)

Sample schedule (PDF)

Major map (PDF)

Required courses for B.S. degree

Required core biology courses for biology majors:

BI 102 General Cellular Biology (5)
BI 103 General Organismal Biology (5)
BI 301General Microbiology (4)
BI 333 General Genetics (4)
BI 390 Biology Seminar – Capstone Course (1)
BI 395 Biology Research – Capstone Course (1)

Total required core hours: 20

Biology elective courses (24 credit hours, 21 of which must be upper division)

Selected biology courses that count for the major (24)

Total biology elective hours: 24

Total biology credit hours: 44

Required chemistry, math and physics courses for biology majors:

CH 151/152 Fundamentals of Chemistry (1 year with lab) (10)
CH 340/342 Organic Chemistry I (with lab) (5)
MA 140 or MA 151 Statistics or Calculus & Analytical Geometry I (3 or 5)
PS 261/262 or PS 281/282 College Physics (1 year with lab) or General Physics (1 year with lab) (10)

Total CH, MA, PS hours (minimum): 28-30

Required course for B.A. degree

Required core biology courses for biology majors:

BI 102 General Cellular Biology (5)
BI 103 General Organismal Biology (5)
BI 301General Microbiology (4)
BI 333 General Genetics (4)
BI 390 Biology Seminar – Capstone Course (1)
BI 395 Biology Research – Capstone Course (1)

Total required core biology hours: 20

Biology elective courses (18 credit hours, 15 of which must be upper division)

Selected Biology courses that count for the major (18)

Total biology elective hours: 18

Total biology credit hours: 38

Required chemistry, math and physics courses for biology majors:

CH 151/152 Fundamentals of Chemistry (1 year with lab) (10)
CH 340/342 Organic Chemistry I (with lab) (5)
MA 140 or MA 151 Statistics or Calculus & Analytical Geometry I (3 or 5)
PS 261/262 or PS 281/282 College Physics (1 year with lab) or General Physics (1 year with lab) (10)

Total CH, MA, PS hours (minimum): 28-30

Foreign language proficiency requirement:

Must satisfy the requirements for a foreign language (0, 4, or 8 hours of Foreign Language that includes the 102-level course or higher, OR achieving a minimum score on an AP or CLEP test OR successfully challenging the Modern Languages Departmentally administered 102 level examination.)

Fill out the Undergraduate Admissions Application and enroll to pursue biology. It's common to declare a major in biology at enrollment and then determine your specific interest.

Conduct research with a faculty mentor and plan to present and/or publish your findings.

The best things you can do to succeed in biology at Washburn are: attend class regularly, complete assignments and develop strong study routines, come to class prepared, and access free tutoring and professor office hours when you have questions.

Students can go on to Nursing School, Medical Laboratory Science, DMD, PT, Optometry, Veterinary Medicine, Law School and Business Administration, just to name a few.